The Problem of Impoverished Lands. 115 



Most soils, even tliough unproductive, contain plant-food in large 

 quantities, but it is in such condition or chemical form that plants 

 cannot get it. 



IS. Is it true that your soil is capable of being made an active 

 laboratory in vjhich changes will take place and some of this 

 unavailable plantfood be made usable f 



It is only when the soil is in such condition that certain changes 

 can take place, tliat the unavailable plant-food becomes available to 

 the plant. 



19. Are you aware that when the texture of your soil is poor, or 

 in other words, your laboratory is out of order, the best commercial 

 fertilizers or stable manures will not give the best results f 



The texture or physical condition of the soil is of first importance. 

 A stone contains plant-food, but it will not grow crops because of 

 its physical and chemical condition. 



20. Do you know that heat and air are important agencies in 

 the changes going on in the soil, as they also are hi the changes in 

 a barrel of cider or mi yeast in a pan of dough ? 



Chemical changes in the soil cannot take place to the best advan- 

 tage when the air is excluded, or when certain definite temperature 

 cannot be maintained. 



21. Does standing water on soil have a detrimental or beneficial 

 effect on the heat and air f Why f 



Detrimental, because it keeps the temperature too low and excludes 

 the air; and soil texture is impaired. 



22. IIoio can you make the soil laboratory do the best loorkf 

 By making and preserving the best physical condition possible. 



NO. 2. TILLAGE AND UNDER-DRAINAGE : REASONS WHY. 



1. WJiat proportion of farmers in your neighborhood far m it 

 like Mr. Black f 



Apply the test to yourself, and see if you are using good, economi- 

 cal business methods in carrying on your farm. 



2. Hoio is farming to be made to pay, — by getting higher prices 

 or by cheapening cost of production f 



Prices are largely beyond our control ; the cost of production very 

 largely rests with us. At least, this is true within certain limits. 



